To the editor:

According to the “No Dirty Gold” campaign, the production of a single gold wedding ring generates 20 tons of mine waste on average. This waste contains toxic materials, which often pollute nearby water sources and compromise the environment of local communities that may have had no say in the opening of the mine.

About 80 percent of newly mined gold is used in jewelry. Some jewelers understand this and are calling on the mining industry to clean up its act. These jewelers have endorsed the No Dirty Gold campaign’s criteria for responsible gold production called the Golden Rules.

Many jewelers have not expressed their support for responsible gold production. The next time you visit a jeweler, you should ask if they have endorsed the No Dirty Gold campaign’s Golden Rules. I urge all consumers to do the same.

Joe Laframboise,

Lawrence